PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Recoome Likum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrew Clayton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Likum
vs
Clayton

199 cm
21
255 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

198 cm
18
290 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Very quick

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Recoome Likum!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Andrew Clayton!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Taro Takaoka and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Clayton stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Clayton wants it to stay on the feet.
Clayton connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Andrew Clayton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Clayton is trying hard to land a takedown here. Likum sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Clayton displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Likum.

Likum changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Clayton looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Clayton controls the position for a moment.
Clayton is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Likum trying to control the action but Clayton is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Likum misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

Likum working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Likum wants to lay and pray for a moment but Clayton keeps working.
Clayton really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Likum. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Clayton can do anything to dispel that myth.
Clayton gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clayton is looking to improve his position but Likum isn't that keen on the idea.
Clayton should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Clayton wants to control but Likum is having none of it.
Clayton is working to get back to half guard.
Clayton has given up his back, trying to stand up. Not clever.
Likum trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.

Likum looking to break Clayton's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Clayton remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Likum will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Clayton breaks Likum's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clayton trying to control the position from guard on top but Likum is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Clayton throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Likum controls Clayton momentarily but Clayton frees himself.
Clayton trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Clayton trying to move into half guard but instead Likum has managed to sweep!
Clayton keeping moving, preventing Likum from controlling successfully.
Clayton wants to improve his position but instead Likum has moved into half guard.

Likum is trying to work for a kimura but Clayton is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clayton wants to get back to full guard.

Likum decides to stand and escape the position.
Likum tries to close the distance and clinch up but Clayton swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Likum lands a nice looking body kick.
Clayton looks gassed!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Likum takes a swing at Clayton's ribcage but misses.
Likum tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Clayton swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Recoome Likum. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Likum connects with an inside leg kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Likum tries to clinch but Clayton is having none of it.
Likum lands a head kick. Clayton smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

It looks like Andrew Clayton has been cut.
Clayton with a lazy takedown attempt

and Likum counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Recoome Likum dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Likum changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Clayton looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Likum is looking to take a break and control but Clayton is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Likum works to advance to full mount. Clayton defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Likum wants to control the pace but Clayton is squirming around nicely.

Likum working for a guillotine from mount but Clayton is in no mood to give up.
Likum throws some wild stikes that Clayton manages to avoid easily.
Clayton tries to control the position but Likum now has his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Likum trying to control momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clayton trying to control the hands but Likum won't let him.
Likum struggling to land strikes to the head as Clayton covers up.
Clayton wants to get back to his feet.
Clayton tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Likum here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.

Likum looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Likum throwing strikes here but Clayton is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Clayton is working to get back to half guard.
Likum manages to capitalize on a mistake by Clayton to take his back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clayton trying to control the hands but Likum won't let him.
Clayton is in bad spot here.
Likum tries to get the hooks in deep but Clayton pushed the leg off.

Clayton defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Likum's arms.
Likum lands strikes to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Likum has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Clayton is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Clayton fending off the submission attempt from Likum.
Clayton is trying to get back to his feet but Likum has full control of the position and if anything, Clayton has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Clayton wants to escape the position.

Clayton defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Clayton preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Likum.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clayton has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Likum is looking to control Clayton but Clayton is wriggling around and keeping busy.

Likum is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Likum has the hooks in. Clayton is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Clayton looking very determined here, making life difficult for Likum.

Clayton manages to stand up with Likum still on his back. Eventually Likum drops to his feet and we're back in the standing position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Recoome Likum dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Likum closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Clayton to the mat! Clayton manages to get full guard.
Likum stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Clayton swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Clayton avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Likum gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Clayton jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Likum tries to clinch but Clayton moves out of range.
Clayton throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Clayton shoots and misses
and Likum counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Clayton misses with a looping right.
Clayton blocks a head kick by Likum.
Likum misses with the combination.
Clayton shoots in looking for a takedown. Likum tries to sprawl out of it but Clayton keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Likum manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Clayton takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Likum fails with the takedown.
Likum throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Clayton's waist but Clayton gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Likum off to one side.
Clayton throws a lazy uppercut

and Likum counters with a single leg into guard. Clayton didn't expect that.

Clayton pushes Likum off and gets back to his feet.
Likum fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Recoome Likum. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Likum slips under a jab from Clayton.
Nice defenses there by Likum.
Likum shoots in but Clayton avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clayton is trying hard to land a takedown here. Likum sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Clayton closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Clayton lands in his opponent's guard.
Recoome Likum overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Clayton with a flurry of punches that miss.
Likum is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Clayton is controlling him.
Likum is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Clayton is pressing down on Likum's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Clayton is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Likum trying to control but Clayton is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Likum preventing the sweep.
Likum wants to pass the guard but Clayton is keeping the position.
Clayton utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Likum gets to his feet - Clayton follows without any prompting.
Clayton walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
No luck for Likum with that takedown attempt.

Clayton fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Likum to the ground. Clayton is now in Likum's guard.
Clayton must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Likum working a defensive guard here.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Clayton's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clayton keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Likum's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Clayton thows a big elbow that misses.
Clayton wants to pass the guard but Likum is keeping the position.
Clayton throws and elbow that misses. Likum uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Clayton's guard. Nice move by Likum!
Clayton is trying to keep Likum in close.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Likum wants to control from the top but Clayton keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Recoome Likum.
Well Likum has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Recoome Likum!